The Squamish River Valley has long been recognized as one of the most significant areas of wintering bald eagles in North America. In the 1994 bird count, Squamish had the world record count of 3,769 eagles. The riverís riparian area provides suitable habitat for roosting, perching and feeding.

The prolific runs of chum salmon in the Squamish, Cheakamus, and Mamquam rivers attract eagles from all over the Pacific Northwest from November to February each year.
(photo taken January 2005)